Recently, the Washington State Patrol celebrated the graduation of 39 new troopers, including Jared Ford, who lives in Elma and will be assigned to the Shelton Patrol detachment.

Each new trooper had to complete more than 1,000 hours of training. Each year, about 100-120 new troopers are sworn in. Only about 4 to 6 percent of total applicants become troopers.

Ford and the others were sworn in during the recent ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda.

Troopers Martin F. Hays and Austin D. Davis also were sworn in and will be assigned to Hoquiam. Hays is from Kent and Davis is from Rochester.

Ford, 32, and his wife live in Elma. They have three children who are homeschooled.

Ford is originally from San Diego, Calif. He moved to Washington State in 2008 and recently moved to Elma. His parents live in the area. “My dad (Pastor Ken Ford) is the pastor of Matlock Community Church.” Ford said.

Ford said each trooper was asked to choose three possible assignments. Ford also had selected Grays Harbor and Thurston counties.

He’s happy with the assignment to Shelton.

“It’s close to home,” Ford said. “I’ve been in the Shelton/Elma area pretty much since 2008 when we moved up here. Shelton is just a familiar area for me, as was Grays Harbor. I go pretty much all over the place down here.”

Becoming a trooper was no easy task, Ford said.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Ford said. “It’s been a little over a year now since I was hired. It’s nice to finally be out on the road and doing the job. It was a little strange pulling over my first vehicle and not having a field officer stationed with me.”

“It’s exciting, and I’m enjoying it so far,” he added.